Nozzle connection lock device



Fveb. 1'1 6, 1965 D, zc. 'wlLLzlAM's 3,169,707

iNozzuE cnNNEcmoN anocx 'lumaca Filed `May 16. .1951

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:iM/VENTO@ ATTORNEY United States Patent O 3,169,707 NGZZLE CONNECTION LGCK DEVICE David C. Wiliiams, Aransas Pass, Tex., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Ashland 0il & Reclining Company, Ashland, Ky., a corporation of Kentucky Filed May 16, 1961, Ser. No. 110,381

1 Claim. (Cl. 239-538) j The present invention generally relates to nozzle connection locks. More specifically, this invention relates to a nozzle connector lock which will allow a nozzle to be alternately connected to and withdrawn from a pressurized chamber without materially aiecting the pressure within such chamber. This device is particularly useful for facilitating the insertion of a quench spray into a pressurized chamber, and more particularly into a carbon black reactor operating under elevated temperatures and pressures.

In the prior art the insertion of a quench spray nozzle into an apparatus was commonly achieved by the use of a gate valve plus a quick flange and a separate packing gland. Such prior art arrangements suffered from a number of disadvantages in that they were both difficult to maintain and operate and tools were generally required to assemble and disassemble the units. In addition, these arrangements proved to be expensive and were of excessive size. Those skilled in the art have long sought a simpler and less expensive device which could be used for such purposes.

It is therefore a primary object of this invention to provide means for quickly inserting and removing a spray nozzle through achamber connection into a pressurized vessel.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a connection lock which may be operatedwith a minimum number of movements on the part of the operatorV and a minimum amount of leakage from the pressurized chamber.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide a lock arrangement for inserting a quench spray nozzle into a carbon black reactor operating under desired pressure levels.

It is further an object of this invention to provide a device for the accomplishment of the above-noted 0bjectives which is compact, simple to fabricate and easy to maintain and install.

These and other objects and advantages will become more apparent after reading the following description in conjunction with the drawings.

These and other objects and advantages are attained by a quench spray arrangement for a carbon black reactor, comprising a quench lock having a housing, an inlet and an outlet, the inlet communicating with the interior of the reactor through an extension. Inside the housing is a rotatable valve member having a normal position wherein the inlet, outlet and a passageway through the valve member are all in registry with one another. A quench fluid conduit having a nozzle secured on one end is mounted in the quench lock with the conduit extending through the inlet and passageway thereof and being axially reciprocable into and kout of the extension through the outlet while the valve member remains in its normal position. Means are associated with the housing for locking the conduit and nozzle against axial displacement from a desired position. The inlet includes .to the other. a straight line as shown.

As is shown in FIGURES l and 2 the cylindrical hous- 3,169,797 Patented Feb. 16, 1965 P ICC means for positively preventing complete withdrawal of the conduit and nozzle from the quench lock while the valve member is in normal position. The valve member also has a withdrawal position wherein the inlet and passageway are in registry with one another but are not in registry with the outlet. As a consequence, the axial extension of the quench spray into the reactor may be readily adjusted and the quench fluid conduit may be readily removed for replacement of the nozzle without danger of inadvertently opening the interior of the reaotor'to the atmosphere.

The invention is illustrated in detail by the specific embodimen set forth in the attachment drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is an exterior side View of the novel nozzle lock housing in accordance with this invention, showing the valvemember in normal position; v

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view of FIGURE 1 taken Valong the line 2-2 of FIGURE l;

FIGURE 3 is similar to FIGURE 2 except that the valve member has been rotated to withdrawal position.

Referring now to the drawings, it is believed that the over-ml construction and elements of the unit can probably best be understood by examining FIGURES 1 and 2'. In these figures it will be noted that the unit comprises a housing member 12, preferably of cylindrical shape, having two side plates 24 and 25'on each side thereof (as viewed'in FIGURE l). The side members 24 and 25 are pulled toward each other and also held closely against the sides of cylindrical housing member 12 by means of two or more bolt and nut combinations 48-30 and Sti-32 passing from one side of the unit to the other.

'In FIGURE l it will be noted that the side members 24 and 25 are not identical and do not have exactly they same shape, the primary difference being the handle extension 16 on side member 25. The function of handle extension 16 will be explained'in greater detail hereinafter.

Within the housing member 12 and between the side members 24 and 25 there is located' a rotatable valve member primarily consisting of a core member 10 and an integral annular bushing22. Bushing 22 is preferably constructed of material whichis much more wear resistant than core member '10. It will be noted lthat the rotatable valve member has a passageway 52 extending therethrough from one side ofthe housing member 12 The axis of this passageway is preferably ing member 12 has a slot provided along one portion of its circumference which somewhat resembles akeyhole in that it has a rather narrow elongated slot-like .portion .25'having a width less than the diameter of passageway 52 and an enlarged generally circular slot portion 2S having a diameter greater than the diameter of passageway 52. On the other side of the cylindrical housing member 12 there is provided an outlet opening 515, and if desired this outlet opening may be surrounded by the end of a cylindrical extension 14 joined with the housing in order to facilitate connection to another pipe or in order to facilitate mounting through the wall of a structure, such as `that of a carbon black reactor.l In

the vvposition shown in FIGURES l Yand 2 (the normal position) the passageway 52 provides opencomrnunication between the inlet area of housing memberf12 (primarily defined by elongated vportion 26) and the outlet `opening 5o of the housing member. Thus, the inlet, outspray means is shown in fragmentary form and is seen to consist of a pipe or quench fluid conduit 51 which is threaded on its outer (leftmost) end so as to receive the nozzle 53. The pipe 51 preferably has a diameter slightly less than the internal diameter of nozzle washer 42, pack- 'ing ring 44 and washer 46 so that it can slide therethrough yupon the application of force in a longitudinal direction. By Way of example, when this invention is used in con- .nection with a carbon black furnace, the nozzle 53 and pipe 51 are adapted to be moved forwardly into the in- -terior of the furnace and backwardly again a distance lof some to 20 inches. In its inwardly extended position the nozzle spraysdirectly into hot furnace gases. When 'the nozzle must be changed it is Withdrawn into the passageway 52 of core member 10.

Nozzle washer 42 is designed to seat itself within the yenlarged seating portion 54 formed in passageway 52.

Seating portion 54 of course limits the leftward movement of nozzle Vwasher 42. Immediately behind washer 42 there is provided Va soft deformable packing ring 44 and in back of this there is another washer 46which preferably has one face thereof curved. Washers 42 and 46 function to retain packing ringV 44 between them. All three Y of these members (42, 44 and 46) slide freely on the pipe 51, but when washers 42 and 4d are forced together they compress the soft, deformable ring or gasket 44 so .that 'the interior periphery of the ring 44 becomes smaller `in diameter and presses against the exterior'of the pipe 51 in tight sealing relationship.

Further with regard to FIGURES 1 and 2 it will be noted that the washer 46 is retained within the `housing member 12 and more particularly within the elongated slot 26 by virtue of the fact that the outside diameter -of the washer 46 is greater than the maximum ywidth of the elongated slot 26 (this is perhaps best shown in FIGURE l). Thus, so long as the rotatable valve unit is maintained in the position shown in FIGURES l and 2 the spray nozzle 53 will be securely locked within passageway 52 in a tight sealing relationship. y Since the valve unit (represented bycore 10 and annular bushing 22) is rotatable (by virtue of the fact -that it is connected to sides 20 and 2S through .bolts 48 and invention.

4 through nut 18 and the other end of bolt 20 is xed (c g.V welded) to a lock handle 21. When lock handle 21 is rotated bolt 20 will move inwardly and exert a force against the adjacent portion of theY protruding pipe 51, thereby limiting movement of the pipe. This restrictive action is important because without it the pipe 51 often tends to vibrate and move due to the force of water rushing through the pipewhich can exert a backward thrust.

It will be further observed that the cylindrical housing member 12 actually is shown in the form of what could be called a split-ring structure having a pair of ilanges 36 and 3S joined thereto. With this form of construction the relative pressure between the cylindrical housing member 12 and the bushing member 22 can be controlled by tightening or loosening bolt 49 between anges 36 and 38.

In its simplest form the housing 16 could be a ringshaped clamp surrounding a block type disc having a passageway bored therethrough.

The deviceof this invention is eminently suitable for inserting a quench spray into a carbon blackL reactor Vwhich is operating under a pressure of 5-50 of water and at a temperature of 12300-3000" F. It can also be used in any similar installation. v

In summary therefore it will vbe seen that the novel 'device of this invention'is compact, simple to fabricate,

quick and easy to operate, relatively foolproof and of a convenient construction which can be quicklyV and easily assembled or disassembled. It provides a sealed means for inserting or withdrawing a spray nozzle or similar device in connection with a vessel having either a higher orlower pressure. The advantages of convenience and efciency of operation and the provision of a rapid and sure connection to a pressurized vessel, make this invention particularly useful in the carbon black industry.

The above'V description of this invention is included to illustrate the operation'of a detailed embodiment of the n It is evident that the structural details of this invention could be varied considerably Witho-ut'departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. For example, Vthe meansV of restraining the nozzle from axial movement while in the spraying position need not be limited to a `lock screw butcould be replaced by a number of other and nuts 30 and 32),v the entire valve assembly may be rotated from the position shown in FIGURE 2 to the positionshown in FIGURE 3. 'lfhis'movementisv preferably accomplished with the aid. of handle extension 16.

- VWhen Vthe yrotatable valve assembly is in the position shown in FIGURE 3 (the withdrawal position) it will be observedthat the upperwidened end of passageway 52 is in substantial alignment with the enlarged. opening 28. Y

As mentioned previously, enlarged opening 28 has a diam- .eterjvvhich is slightly larger than the maximum diameter 4of passageway 52 and also slightly larger than the diameter of washer 46 soithat all of the elements (S1, 53, 42,

44, 46) whichy were previously contained in passageway" .52` maybe easily removed therefrom. Also, since the .lower end of passageway 52 is not in communication with i "the outlet 56 (in the position shown in FIGURE 3) there ,is no danger of leakage out from or to the area to which outlet S6 is connected. It will alsobe apparent that when nozzle 53 is withdrawn, it will automatically bring with it pieces 42,Y 44 and 46 because the external diameter of nozzle 53'is greater than the internaldiameter of Washer FIGURES 1 and 2 illustrate another feature of the invention,l namely means for preventing longitudinal movement of the pipe 51 once Vit has'beenl located in 'ad'esired' positionf. In FIGURE 2 a'threadedhexagonal nut 18 is shown havngone side thereof Welded to the exterior surfacejof housing' 12. VOne end'of a boltZtl is threaded equally effective devices. Also, the means for turning.' the rotatable valve construction could be replaced -by equivalent turning means, and indeed, the particular structure and operation of the rotating mechanism need not be restricted to a simple lever. Communication with a pressurized chamber could also be accomplished by a number of other ways.

I claim; Y f

A` quench spray arrangement for carbonblack reactors, compri-sing a quench lock including a cylindrical housing having an inlet`and an outlet formed in a circumferential portion thereof, said outlet being surrounded by one end of an extension joined with Vsaid housing for communicatingwith the interiorof a reactor, a rotatable valve member positioned in said housing; said valvemernber having Va passageway therethrough, said valve member having a normal position in which said inlet, outletrand-passage- Way are all in registry with one another, a quench fluid conduit having aV nozzle secured on oneend thereof, said conduit andnozzle being di-sposecl`in saidquenchlock with the conduit extending through the inlet and passageway and beingV axially reciprocable into and out of said said Vvalve i'n'emberV is normal position, said valve mem- V'ber also having a Withdrawal position Ywherein Ysaid'inletV and passageway are in registry with one another but not with said outlet, said nozzle being positionable Within said valve member and said inlet being adapted to accommodate said conduit during rotation of the valve member between said normal and said Withdrawal positions, said means 4for preventing Withdrawal of said conduit and nozzle being ineiective in said Withdrawal position, whereby the quench fluid conduit may be readily removed for replacement of the nozzle, Without danger of inadvertently opening the interior of the reactor to the atmosphere.

Referenees Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Williams June 27, 1882 Menue Aug. 26, 1884 McGilVray May 2, 1916 Hamer Nov. 7, 1933 Smith Ian. 3, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Germany of 1951 

